Speak Out on Seattle University Master Plan
Seattle University continues to move forward with the City-mandated process for seeking approval of its master plan. The master plan, known as Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) in City-speak, is intended to guide development of the University over the next twenty years or so.
Included in the proposed MIMP are plans for new buildings housing an increasing number of students’ residences, academic buildings, and, perhaps, a basketball arena.
Unlike the last MIMP, developed in the late 1990’s, the University plans its new buildings to be more open to neighborhood streets — 12th Avenue, Broadway, and Madison. The Lee Center for the Arts and the soon-to-be-opened alumni and visitors center building, both on 12th Avenue near Marion, which have entrances and expansive windows on the street are examples of the new kind of development the University has in mind. Notably, the large self-storage building at the corner of 12th and Madison will, in the foreseeable future, be developed into more open, lively uses.
The parts of the MIMP which have drawn the greatest opposition include the expansion of the University’s boundaries to include areas east of 12th Avenue (specifically the Photographic Center Northwest site between 12th and 13th on E. Marion) and the increase in the height limit allowed for University buildings to 65 feet in several locations.
The University is asking for the ability to build to 65 feet on all of the blocks of James Ct. and Barclay Ct. which currently have small scale bungalow development. No particular plans for these blocks are announced in the proposed MIMP and many Squire Park neighbors are concerned that, if the height limit is approved, it will mean the slow decline of those blocks until the institution is ready to build there. This is the pattern that took place in the block between Cherry and James Ct. where, before S.U. took control, there were residences and businesses and those businesses and homes slowly declined and became vacant, finally culminating in years of a gravel parking lot. (It’s expected that, some time in the next few years, a new S.U. residential building with retail space on the ground floor will be built on that site.)
The institution is also asking for an increase to a 65 feet height limit for the blocks currently occupied by the Coca Cola building and the Hospital Laundry building (from Cherry St. nearly to Marion St.) Residents and property owners on 14th, 15th, and Marion are concerned that buildings built to 65 feet will severely impact their light, views, and quiet. One of the proposed uses for that site includes a possible intercollegiate basketball arena seating up to 5,000 people.
A Citizens Advisory Committee meets regularly to hear and give input into the University’s proposed plans. You can make your voice heard by attending one of those meetings. For the entire neighborhood, the University’s development can have a significant impact — both positive and negative, and the final plan will be a better one if your voice is heard.
To see the draft MIMP and additional information, including comments from the CAC go to http://www.seattleu.edu/facilities/page.aspx?id=158&x=172